The Political Consequences of Work Symposium

Political Consequences of Work Symposium

Welcome to our Political Consequences of Work Symposium happening at Loughborough University! Join us in this interdisciplinary symposium at Loughborough University full with insightful discussions at the nexus of politics and work, and explore how they shape our society.

How does work shape political engagement and thinking beyond the workplace? ​

Research shows that the quality and nature of work profoundly influence how people think, act, and engage politically in their free time. This in-person event is an opportunity to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and connect with like-minded scholars.

Keynote Speaker: Professor Mindy Shoss, University of Central Florida

Location: Loughborough University, International House: Loughborough University Campus Map

Participation is free. ​

Sign up now. More information will follow shortly.

Contact the organisers: e.selenko@lboro.ac.uk; b.moraligil@lboro.ac.uk

Symposium description

This event will bring together academics of different disciplines who are interested in how the experience of work(ing) shapes political engagement, civic behavior, attitudes, political trust outside work. If you are interested in this area, whether you have published or not on it, join us!

We believe that the quality of work, the conditions of employment, the organisational and labour conditions within which work occurs have significant impact on people's understanding of themselves, of power, of control, of social relationships, of fairness etc. This in turn will shape their thinking/acting/feeling as political citizens in society.
To understand the relationship between work & political behavior better is crucial - to enable our societies to strive.

This interdisciplinary research area is a cross-over between Psychology, Political Studies, Employment Relations, Sociology and probably many more. From a psychological point of view we are only at the very beginning of this research program.
In this meeting we hope to attract likeminded scholars, to build pathways forward.

12.6. 2025: Day 1 of the meeting will offer input: in form of presentation by experts & discussions. Notes will be taken. Chatham-house rules apply.
13.6. 2025: Day 2 of the meeting will concentrate on developing tangible academic outputs and setting next steps (e.g. special issues, stand point papers, conference streams).

Join us!

About the organisers
Eva Selenko is a Professor in Work Psychology at Loughborough University Business School. She researchers on the relationship between work experiences and political engagement. With this symposium she hopes to bring likeminded academics together to start new projects and build this research area further.

Bahar Moraligil is a PhD candidate in Organisational Behavior at Loughborough University Business School. Her PhD research is on the reluctance to lead, inside and outside work contexts. She is curious about the work-politics topic, and co-organises this event.


PS:
Note, our aim is not to discuss specific political event/behaviors/engagements (although we can all think of examples), but to carve out the role of work in relation to political engagement more fundamentally.